Protesters will take to streets

SCOTT FONTAINE; The News Tribune
Last updated: November 9th, 2007 01:23 AM (PST)

A group spearheaded by some self-proclaimed anarchists is unhappy with the 1,000-bed Northwest Detention Center on the Tideflats. It’s the main detention center for Immigration and Customs Enforcement for Washington, Oregon and Alaska.

The protest will start about 11 a.m. and be centered at a “green zone” near Tollefson Plaza at South 17th Street and Pacific Avenue. “Bring puppets, musical instruments, signs, banners, creativity and passion,” a Web page about the protest reads (www. no-racism.net). “The rest of downtown will be open to diverse and creative tactics!”

The protest was planned at Pitch Pipe Infoshop at 617 S. 17th St. It bills itself as “a not-for-profit, collectively run radical lending library and community space” and boasts that it “has the potential to become a hub for regional anarchist networking, skill sharing, and organizing.”

No one from the shop returned phone calls or e-mail messages.

There also appears to be a counterprotest brewing. A group called March for America! sent out a mass e-mail in a “call to all American patriots who are able, to stand in solidarity against the communist/socialist/anarchist pawns who call for an end to the nation state, who call for an end to America.”

Jonnie Crivello, founder of March for America! Washington, was unsure how many people the group will have because of short organizing time.

The Tacoma Police Department expects the rally to be peaceful. However, it’s also heard that some smaller groups might use the rally as a way to move throughout the downtown corridor and engage in “unlawful behavior,” police officials said. The department is prepared to respond if there’s illegal activity during the rally.

The department has been aware of the rally since last month and has been planning its response.

“Hopefully we won’t be needed whatsoever,” spokesman Mark Fulghum said. “We’ll be ready in case we are.”

The department encourages business owners and residents to go about their activities as usual. However, officials ask business owners to make sure their outside area is free of debris and obstructions like sandwich boards, displays and other signage.

Officials ask people to report suspicious activity to the police.

The Business Improvement Area is adding an extra security patrol Saturday, said director Paul Ellis.

Patricia Lecy-Davis, president of the Downtown Merchants Association, said she’s not sure what to expect, but one thing should be different.

“This will be the largest crowd we’ve had in downtown for a while,” she said with a laugh.

Few expect violence to erupt, but some businesses near Tollefson Plaza are taking precautions. The Courtyard by Marriott hotel at 1515 Commerce St. will add an extra security guard this weekend, said front-office manager Jennifer Chell.

Warren Cabes, owner of Tacoma Art Supply at 1552 Jefferson Ave., said his biggest concern is customers finding parking this weekend. And, he adds, the protest could become a positive.

“I might (tell the protesters), ‘Well, you know, this is an art store,’” he said. “‘We sell markers and paint if you want to make signs.’”

Scott Fontaine: 253-320-4758

scott.fontaine@thenewstribune.com

blogs.thenewstribune.com/street

Staff writer Stacey Mulick contributed to this report.

Originally published: November 9th, 2007 01:23 AM (PST)